Swiftlet nests worth RM1.7b for export to China by 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Swiftlet nests worth RM1.7 billion are expected to be exported to China by 2020 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and the country.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister, Datuk Anthony Nogeh Gumbek said through the "Raw Unclean Edible Bird Nest (RUC EBN) Protocol (RUC EBN) MoU", a result of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the move could also strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries, especially in the export of cleaned or uncleaned swiftlet nests.

"The Belt and Road initiative outlines the five key areas including trade and investment. The ministry conducts market intelligence research on competitive agro-food products like swiftlet nests and tropical fruits such as pineapple and durian," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Nogeh was replying to a question from Datuk Rozman Isli (BN-Labuan) on the type of research and development (R & D) implemented by the ministry through the initiative by China to expand the bird's nest industry which has a large market potential as a health supplement.

He said that apart from swiftlet nests, pineapple exports were also expected to double to RM320 million a year by 2020 after the Pineapple Protocol MoU was signed via the same initiative. — Bernama